Adjustable seatpost

ABSTRACT

A seat post assembly for a bicycle has a first tube with a first distal end and a second tube with a second distal end. The first and second tubes are movable relative to one another to establish a distance between the first and second distal ends. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has a second pressure not proportional to the load. A flow path connects the first and second pressure chambers. A valve is disposed along the flow path and is configured to move between a closed position closing the flow path and an open position opening the flow path between the first and second pressure chambers. An isolator of the valve is configured to nullify any resultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting on the isolator.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/433,665, filed Jun. 6, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/399,105, filed Jan. 5, 2017, now issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,358,180, the contents of which are herein included byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present application generally relates to seats for bicycles, andmore particularly to an adjustable seat post assembly for a bicycleseat.

Description of Related Art

Bicycles are known to have a seat or saddle to support a rider in aseated position. The position of the saddle on most bicycles is alsoadjustable in some manner. The saddle may be adjustable so that a givenbicycle can be configured to accommodate different riders of varioussizes. The saddle may also be adjustable to allow a given rider to setor reset the saddle position on a specific bicycle to accommodatedifferent riding conditions.

In one example, a bicycle may have a height adjustable seat postassembly. Thus, the height of the saddle may be selectively adjustedrelative to a frame of the bicycle. The typical bicycle has a saddlemounted to a post that is mechanically clamped to a tube of the bicycleframe. When the clamp is released, the saddle and post can be slid upand down to adjust the height of the saddle. However, on more recenthigher end bicycles, the seat post may be height adjustable while ridingthe bicycle by employing some type of hydraulic assist mechanism. Forexample, the assignee of the present disclosure has developed a line ofmanually actuated hydraulic height adjustable or “dropper” seat posts.These products are known as RockShox® Reverb™ and Reverb Stealth™ bySRAM LLC. The RockShox® seat posts use a hydraulic pressure differentialwithin the post and require manual operation to adjust the seat postheight.

Others have also developed different versions of dropper-type posts.Some product may use ANT+ wireless communication technology allowing therider to wirelessly adjust the saddle height. Currently availableproducts have a very slow reaction time due at least partially to thedesign of their internal fluid flow components. The batteries are alsonot very robust and require frequent recharging, partly because of therelatively large force required to open and close a valve of the flowcomponents.

Further, some bicycle seat posts are also known that include mechanismsat the top of the seat post that allow for adjusting the fore-aftposition and/or the tilt angle of the saddle or seat to be adjustable.Bicycle saddle clamps that use a single transverse bolt to clamp abicycle saddle to the seat post are known in the industry. However,these types of clamps also typically rely on friction to hold the saddlein the selected position. Thus, this type of design is known for thesaddle being able to slip under heavy loads, resulting in a loss of theselected or desired saddle position.

SUMMARY

In one example, according to the teachings of the present disclosure, aseat post assembly for a bicycle includes a first tube having a firstdistal end and a second tube having a second distal end. The first tubeand second tube are movable relative to one another to establish adistance between the first distal end and the second distal end along atube axis. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportionalto a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has asecond pressure that is not proportional to the load. A flow pathconnects the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. Avalve has an isolator disposed along the flow path and configured tomove between a closed position closing the flow path and an openposition opening the flow path between the first pressure chamber andthe second pressure chamber. The isolator is configured to nullify anyresultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressurechamber acting on the isolator.

In one example, the isolator can move between the closed position andthe open position along an isolation axis.

In one example, the second pressure can be a preset pressure. Anisolation force may be produced by the preset pressure in the secondpressure chamber whereby the isolation force can act on a distal end ofthe isolator.

In one example, the isolator, in the closed position, can bias against avalve seat by an isolation force, which can be produced by a presetpressure in the second pressure chamber acting on the isolator.

In one example, a loaded force that may be produced by the loadedpressure in the first pressure chamber can act on an intermediateportion of the isolator.

In one example, an intermediate portion of the isolator can includeopposing surface areas in a direction along an axis of the isolator.

In one example, a loaded force that may be produced by the loadedpressure in the first pressure chamber can act on the isolator such thatthe loaded force can be balanced along an isolation axis.

In one example, a loaded force can be produced by the loaded pressure inthe first pressure chamber whereby the loaded force can be balancedthrough opposing surface areas on the isolator along an isolation axis.

In one example, an actuation axis of the isolator can be non-parallel tothe tube axis.

In one example, the actuation axis can be perpendicular to the tubeaxis.

In one example, an actuation force may be required to actuate the valveunder a larger load applied to the second distal end of the second tube.The actuation force can be less than the actuation force required toactuate the valve under a smaller load that is applied to the seconddistal end of the second tube.

In one example, in the closed position, the isolator can be biasedclosed by a fluid closing force acting on the isolator and produced bythe second pressure. The fluid closing force can be greater than a fluidopening force acting on the isolator and produced by the loadedpressure, whereby the distance between the first and second distal endsis maintained. In the open position, the isolator can be opened againstthe fluid closing force by a combination of the fluid opening force andan actuation force that acts on the isolator whereby fluid can beexchanged between the first and second pressure chambers via the flowpath and whereby the distance between the first and second distal endscan be adjusted.

In one example, the first tube can have an inner diameter and the secondtube have an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter sothat the second tube is telescopically slidable along the tube axis toextend and retract the second tube relative to the first tube to adjustthe distance between the second distal end and the first distal end.

In one example, the seat post assembly can include a first fluidreservoir including the first pressure chamber, the second chamber, andthe flow path.

In one example, the isolator can be configured having opposing surfacessuch that a fluid opening force acting on one surface of the opposingsurfaces is balanced by a fluid closing force acting on another surfaceof the opposing surfaces that opposes the one surface. The fluid openingand closing forces can act along an isolation axis of the isolator.

In one example, according to the teachings of the present disclosure, aseat post for a bicycle includes a first tube having a first distal endand a second tube having a second distal end. The first tube and secondtube are movable relative to one another along a tube axis to establisha height of an attachment portion of a seat post for attaching a bicycleseat. The attachment portion is carried on the second distal end. Abattery pack includes a battery and a battery housing. The batteryhousing is configured for removable attachment to the attachment portionand configured to provide power to operate a height adjustment system ofthe seat post.

In one example, the height adjustment system includes a valve, which canbe operable between an open position and a closed position,respectively, to selectively permit and prevent adjustment of the heightof the seat post.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a wirelessactuator, which can be positioned remote from the valve and the batterypack. The wireless actuator can be operable to selectively operate thevalve.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a bleed orificethat can selectively open to a fluid pressure chamber.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a motor, whichcan be operably coupled with the battery pack and which can be disposeda first radial distance from a tube axis of the seat post. The firstradial distance can be greater than a second radial distance from thetube axis to an outer wall of the second tube of the seat post.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a valve, whichcan include an isolator disposed along a flow path and can be configuredto move between a closed state closing the flow path and an open stateopening the flow path between a loaded pressure chamber and a presetpressure chamber. The system can also include a driver, which can havean eccentric bearing surface configured to contact a distal end of theisolator to actuate the valve.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a valve driverthat can have a bearing attached to an eccentric bearing surface. Thebearing can have an inner race in contact with the eccentric bearingsurface and an outer race that contacts the isolator.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a valve driverthat can have a bearing attached to an eccentric bearing surface. Thebearing can be a ball bearing and can have an inner race in contact withthe eccentric bearing surface and an outer race that contacts theisolator.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a wirelessactuator positioned remote from a valve, a motor, and a printed circuitboard, which can be configured to operate the motor in response tosignals received from the wireless actuator.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a motor, whichcan be positioned at the second distal end of the second tube.

In one example, the height adjustment system can include a motor, whichcan be carried on or in the attachment portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one example of a bicycle, which may befitted with a seat post assembly constructed in accordance with theteachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a seat post assembly, with a saddleinstalled thereon, and constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 3A shows the seat post assembly of FIG. 2 in a fully raised orextended position.

FIG. 3B shows the seat post assembly of FIG. 2 in a fully lowered ordropped position.

FIG. 4A shows a vertical cross-section view of the seat post assembly ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B shows a vertical cross-section view of the seat post assembly ofFIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A shows a vertical cross section view, as in FIGS. 4A and 4B, butwith the seat post assembly in an intermediate or partly extendedposition.

FIG. 5B shows an enlarged close-up view of a central portion of the seatpost as depicted in the middle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A shows an enlarged close-up view in cross-section of anelectronics module disposed at the upper end of the seat post assemblyof FIGS. 4A and 5A.

FIG. 6B shows the electronics module of FIG. 6A and depicting multiplecross-section lines utilized for additional views.

FIG. 7A shows an enlarged close-up view of the electronics module ofFIG. 4A and depicting a cam and a valve assembly in a closed position.

FIG. 7B shows the electronics module of FIG. 7A but depicting the camand the valve assembly in an open position.

FIG. 8 shows a valve body or poppet of the valve assembly depicted inFIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 9A shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of theelectronics module of FIG. 6B, and showing the cam and the valveassembly in the closed position of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 9B shows the electronics module of FIG. 9A, but with the cam andthe valve assembly in the open position of FIG. 7B.

FIG. 10 shows a rear perspective view of the electronics module of FIG.6A and with a cover and a battery removed.

FIGS. 11A-C show various views of the cam and a photo-interrupter of theelectronics module depicted in FIGS. 7A and 9A.

FIGS. 12A-C show various views of a gearmotor of the electronics moduledepicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a perspective view and a top view of a motorsupport bracket of the electronics module as depicted in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 of theelectronics module of FIG. 6B, and shows the motor support bracket ofFIGS. 13A and 13B.

FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of theelectronics module of FIG. 6B, and shows an ON/OFF button and an LED.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of theelectronics module of FIG. 6B, and shows pogo pins thereof.

FIG. 17 shows a rear perspective view of the electronics module of FIG.6A and with a battery removed.

FIG. 18A shows an enlarged close-up cross-sectional view of theelectronics module in FIG. 4A and depicting a battery installed and abattery latch in a latched position.

FIG. 18B shows the electronics module of FIG. 18A but depicting thebattery latch in a released position and the battery partially removed.

FIG. 18C shows the electronics module of FIG. 18B but depicting samewith the battery completely removed, as in FIG. 17 .

FIG. 19 is a front view of the top of the seat post assembly, showingmounting screws for the battery cover of the electronics module of FIG.6A.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of one alternative example of a cam forthe seat post assembly and constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of one alternative example of a cambearing housing for the seat post assembly and constructed in accordancewith the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 22A-22C show cross sectional view taken through a seat post headthat is similar to that depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B but modified toinclude the cam of FIG. 20 and the bearing housing of FIG. 21 .

FIG. 23 shows a partial exploded view of the head of the seat postassembly of FIG. 2 and constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of the seatpost head of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 25 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 of the seatpost head of FIG. 6B, and depicting the saddle mounting and tilt adjusthardware.

FIGS. 26A-26C shows, in part, cross-sectional views taken along line26-26 of the seat post head of FIG. 25 , but also including the upperportion of the seat post assembly and the saddle shown in FIG. 2 , anddepicting the saddle in various states of tilt adjustment.

FIGS. 27A-27C show enlarged close-up views of the seat post head ofFIGS. 26A-26C, respectively.

FIG. 28 shows a side view of another example of a portion of a seat postassembly, with a saddle installed thereon, and constructed in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure.

FIG. 29 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the seat post assemblyof FIG. 28 .

FIG. 30 shows another embodiment of a seat post assembly.

FIG. 31 shows another embodiment of a seat post assembly.

FIG. 32 shows a block diagram of the electronic portion of the seat postassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed seat post assembly solves or improves upon the above-notedand/or other problems and disadvantages with existing and prior knownseat post assemblies. The disclosed seat post assembly provides a seatpost that is electrically adjustable in height. The disclosed seat postassembly includes an electronics module that is carried under the seator saddle. The disclosed seat post assembly includes an easilyaccessible and replaceable power supply, such as a battery or batterypack, also under the saddle. The disclosed seat post assembly isconfigured so that only minimal energy and/or force is required to openand close a valve of the assembly, thus reducing the energy and/or forcerequired to adjust the saddle height. Both the valve opening and closingforce and the battery load required to operate the assembly aresignificantly reduced.

The disclosed seat post assembly also solves or improves upon theproblem of being able to hold a selected saddle tilt angle. Thedisclosed seat post assembly includes the addition of structuralelements that positively hold the seat or saddle clamp in position toprevent it from slipping. The disclosed seat post assembly also has theadditional benefit of providing a convenient mechanism and procedure fora user to fine-adjust the fore-aft and angular position or tilt angle ofthe saddle during installation. These and other objects, features, andadvantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to thosehaving ordinary skill in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a humanpowered vehicle on which the disclosed seat post assembly may beimplemented. In this example, the vehicle is one possible type ofbicycle 50, such as a mountain bicycle. The bicycle 50 has a frame 52,handlebars 54 near a front end of the frame, and a seat or saddle 56 forsupporting a rider over a top of the frame. The bicycle 50 also has afirst or front wheel 58 carried by a front fork 60 of the frame 52 andsupporting the front end of the frame. The bicycle 50 also has a secondor rear wheel 62 supporting a rear end of the frame 52. The rear end ofthe frame 52 may be supported by a rear suspension component 67. Thebicycle 50 also has a drive train 64 with a crank assembly 66 that isoperatively coupled via a chain 68 to a rear cassette 70 near a rotationaxis of the rear wheel 62. In this example, the saddle 56 is supportedon a seat post assembly 80 constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present disclosure.

While the bicycle 50 depicted in FIG. 1 is a mountain bicycle, the seatpost assembly 80, including the specific embodiments and examplesdisclosed herein as well as alternative embodiments and examples, may beimplemented on other types of bicycles. For example, the disclosed seatpost assembly 80 may be used on road bicycles, as well as bicycles withmechanical (e.g., cable, hydraulic, pneumatic, etc.) and non-mechanical(e.g., wired, wireless) drive systems. The disclosed seat post assembly80 may also be implemented on other types of two-, three-, andfour-wheeled human powered vehicles as well.

With that in mind and referring to FIG. 2 , the saddle 56 is attached toand carried on the top of the seat post assembly 80. Referring to FIGS.2, 3A, and 3B, the disclosed seat post assembly 80 has a first or lowerpost segment, i.e., a lower tube 82 and a second or upper post segment,i.e., an upper tube 84. The two tubes 82, 84 are movable relative to oneanother to establish a height of the saddle 56 relative to the frame 52.In this example, the lower tube 82 has a first distal end 86 defining alower end of the seat post assembly. The upper tube 84 has a second orupper distal end 88 defining an upper end of the seat post assembly 80.In one example, the lower distal end 86 may be received in and clampedor otherwise secured in a frame tube 89 (see FIG. 1 ) of the frame 52 ina conventional manner. Thus, the lower tube 82 may be fixed relative tothe frame 52 during use and the upper tube 84 may be slidably andtelescopically received in the lower tube 82. The upper tube 84 can beslid telescopically along a tube axis T relative to the lower tube 82 toestablish a distance between the second distal end 88 and first distalend 86, respectively. FIG. 3A illustrates the upper tube 84.

Also, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3B, a head 90 is fixed to the top ofthe seat post assembly, i.e., to the second distal end 88 of the uppertube 84. In the disclosed example, the head 90 provides three distinctfunctions. First, the head 90 is configured to include an electronicsmodule 92, which provides important functions for the seat heightadjustment feature of the disclosed seat post assembly 80, as describedbelow. Second, the saddle 56 is mounted to and carried on the head 90 toattach the saddle to the seat post assembly 80. Third, the head 90 isconfigured to provide a saddle clamp mechanism 94, which provides thesaddle fore-aft and tilt adjustment features, also as described below.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, the seat post assembly 80 may bepositioned in a fully extended position with the upper tube 84 extendedupward relative to the lower tube 82 to its fullest extent. Likewise,referring to FIGS. 3B and 4B, the seat post assembly 80 may bepositioned in a fully retracted or contracted position with the uppertube 84 retracted into the lower tube 82 to its fullest extent. Raisingor lowering the upper tube 84 relative to the lower tube 82 raises orlowers the seat or saddle 56 relative to the frame 52. The seat postassembly 80 can also be positioned in any number of intermediatepositions, such as depicted in FIG. 5A, between the fully extended andthe fully contracted positions, according to the desire of the rider.

How the height of the seat post assembly 80 is adjusted is now describedbelow. For the purposes of describing the construction and operation ofthe seat post assembly 80, it will be helpful to describe the seat postassembly by way of two different portions, a hydraulic portion and anelectronic portion.

Hydraulic Portion

In general, the hydraulic portion of the seat post assembly 80 has twopressure systems including a hydraulic system and a pneumatic system.Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, an incompressible fluid,such as for example a mineral oil, is contained within the hydraulicsystem, which includes two hydraulic volumes or pressure chambers. Thesevolumes include a first pressure chamber 100 and a second pressurechamber 102 defined within the head 90 and the upper tube 84. In orderto fully understand and appreciate the two pressure chambers 100, 102,specific details of the head 90 and upper tube 84 are now described.

The head 90 includes a hydraulic fluid space, defined in more detailbelow, and a bore 104 in communication between the outside of the headand the hydraulic fluid space. An insert 106 is threadably seated in thebore 104 of the head 90. The insert 106 defines a bleed orifice 107between the hydraulic fluid space and the exterior of the head 90through the insert. A seal or O-ring 108 is contained in a groove 110formed in a wall of the head 90. The O-ring 108 creates a seal betweenthe insert 106 and the wall of the bore 104 in the head 90. A bleedscrew 112 is threadably received in the bleed orifice 107 of the insert106. Another O-ring 114 is contained in a seat 115 formed between thebleed screw 112 and the insert 106. The O-ring 114 seals the bleedorifice 107 when the bleed screw is tightened. The bleed orifice 107 maybe opened by loosening the bleed screw 112, as needed.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the second distal end 88 of theupper tube 84 is threaded onto a boss 116 that protrudes from the bottomof the head 90. Another O-ring 118 is contained within a groove 120formed around the circumference of the boss 116. The O-ring 118 createsa seal between the boss 116 and the upper tube 84. A stepped-down,smaller diameter second boss 122 protrudes from the free end of the boss116 and is within the upper tube 84. A piston cylinder 124 is attachedto the second boss 122. Another O-ring 126 is contained within a groove128 formed around the circumference of the second boss 122 to form aseal between the second boss and the piston cylinder 124. The pistoncylinder 124 is concentrically disposed within the upper tube 84 and itsupper end bottoms against the face of the boss 116. The piston cylinder124 may be threaded onto the second boss 122, or may simply be press fitonto the second boss and retained thereon by friction and by theassembled structure of the seat post assembly 80.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a floating piston 130 resides in thecircumferential space between an inner surface of the upper tube 84 andan outer surface of the piston cylinder 124. The floating piston 130 isring-shaped and creates a movable seal between the outer surface of thepiston cylinder 124 and the inner surface of the upper tube 84. A piston132 is also received within the interior of the piston cylinder 124 andhas a piston head 134 at an upper end. An O-ring 136 is seated in agroove 138 around the circumference of the piston head 134. The O-ring136 is sandwiched between a pair of back-up O-rings 140 that are alsoreceived in the groove 138. The O-ring 136 and back-up O-rings 140create a seal between the piston head 134 and the inner surface of thepiston cylinder 124. A piston shaft 142 is threadably connected to astem 144 that protrudes from the piston head 134 on the lower end of thepiston 132. Another O-ring 146 is contained within a seat 148 formedbetween the stem 144 of the piston 132 and the inner surface of thepiston shaft 142.

Also, referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a cap ring 150 is threaded on andattached to the lower end of the upper tube 84. An O-ring 152 ispositioned in a groove 154 around the circumference of the cap ring 150and forms a seal between the cap ring and the upper tube 84. The lowerend of the piston cylinder 124 is received within a bore 156 formedaxially through the cap ring 150, bottoming against a stop ring 158captured in the bore. An O-ring 160 is seated in an internal groove 162in the bore 156 and creates a seal between the bore 156 of the cap ring150 and the outer surface of the piston shaft 142, which extends throughthe cap ring. A guide bushing 164 is captured in a seat 166 around thecircumference of the cap ring, below the O-ring 152, and is disposedbetween the outer surface of the cap ring 150 and the inner surface ofthe lower tube 82.

Referring to FIG. 5A, an end cap 170 is threaded into the lower end ofthe piston shaft 142. An O-ring 172 is contained within a groove 174around the circumference of the end cap 170 to form a seal between theend cap and the inner surface of the piston shaft 142. The end cap 170is received in a larger diameter bore 176 in the lower end of the lowertube 82. The bore 176 terminates at a step or shoulder 178 and the endcap 170 butts against the shoulder. The end cap 170 is captured betweenthe shoulder 178 and a retaining ring 180 within the lower end of thelower tube 82 securing the end cap therein. A valve 179, such as aSchrader or American style valve, is threadably attached to the bottomend of the end cap 170.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a collar 182 is threadably connected to the upperend of the lower tube 82 and closely surrounds the upper tube 84. AnO-ring 192 is seated in a groove in the inner surface of the collar 182and provides a seal between the collar and the upper end of the lowertube 82. A wiper or wipe seal 184, for example an elastomeric wiper, ispressed into a bore 186 at the upper end of the collar 182. Wipingsurfaces of the wiper 184 contact the outer surface of the upper tube84. An upper guide bushing 188 is contained within a seat 190 around aninner surface of the collar 182 above the threaded connection to thelower tube 82. The upper guide bushing 188 also bears against the outersurface of the upper tube 84.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower tube 82, the collar 182,the piston 132, the piston shaft 142, and the end cap 170 areessentially fixed relative to one another and thus are constrained tonot move relative to each other. Since the lower tube 82 is clamped inthe frame tube 89 of the bicycle frame 52, these components will alwaysbe in the same fixed position relative to the bicycle frame. On theother hand, the head 90, electronics module 92, the upper tube 84, thepiston cylinder 124, and the cap ring 150 are fixed to one another andthus are constrained to always move together as a unit. These partstelescope vertically within and relative to the lower tube 82 along thetube axis T. In one example, an anti-rotation system (not shown) of keysand keyways may be employed to prevent or inhibit rotation of the head90 relative to the lower tube 82. In one example, the anti-rotationsystem may include three keys that are spaced 120 degrees apart aroundthe seat post assembly 80. The three keys may be provided in andprotruding from corresponding recesses in the outer surface of the uppertube 84, and may engage corresponding keyways provided along the innersurface of the lower tube 82. These keyways in the lower tube 82 may beconfigured to extend longitudinally in the direction of the tube axis Tand may extend over a majority of, or even over most of, its length.

The first pressure chamber 100 is a hydraulic volume in the form of asubstantially cylindrical volume inside the piston cylinder 124. Thefirst pressure chamber 100 is bounded at one end by the head 90, i.e.,by the exposed end of the second boss 122 and at the other end by thepiston 132. The second pressure chamber 102 is also a hydraulic volumein the form of a substantially annular space between the outer surfaceof the piston cylinder 124 and the inner surface of the upper tube 84.The second pressure chamber is bounded at one end by the floating piston130 and at its other end by the head 90, i.e., by an exposed step on theboss 116.

Referring to FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 5A, a compressible fluid or gas, such asair, is contained within the pneumatic system, which includes multiplepneumatic chambers. Referring again to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the pneumaticsystem in this example is pressurized with air via the valve 179 in theend cap 170 in the lower end of the lower tube 82. In one example, thepneumatic system may initially be pressurized to a preset or establishedpressure, such as 250 pounds per square inch (psi) with the seat postassembly 80 in the fully extended position shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A. Thepressurized medium, such as air, is contained within the multiplepneumatic volumes, which include volumes 200, 202, 204, and 206 in thisexample. The pressurized medium may be added to the pneumatic systemsuch that the first through fourth pneumatic volumes 200, 202, 204, 206at a predetermined or preset pressure. As noted below, this presetpressure may then be applied, through interaction between the hydraulicand pneumatic systems, to a part of the hydraulic system.

With reference to FIG. 5B, a first pneumatic volume 200 includes thevolume inside the piston shaft 142 and within a longitudinal bore 208and a transverse bore 210 that communicate with one another and that areeach provided within the stem 144 and head 134 of the piston 132. Asecond pneumatic volume 202 includes the substantially annular volumecreated by an annular recess 212, which is formed around thecircumference of the piston head 134 and bound between the piston headand the inner surface of the piston cylinder 124. The volume 202 is alsodisposed on the piston head 134 between the O-ring 136 and the upper endof the piston shaft 142. A third pneumatic volume 204 includes thesubstantially annular volume between the outer surface of the pistonshaft 142 and the inner surface of the piston cylinder 124. The thirdvolume 204 is bounded by the bottom of the piston head 134 at the upperend of the piston shaft 142 and the top of the stop ring 158 on the capring 150 at the lower end of the piston cylinder 124. A fourth pneumaticvolume 206 includes the substantially annular volume between the outersurface of the piston cylinder 124 and the inner surface of the uppertube 84. The fourth volume 206 is bounded by the floating piston 130(see FIG. 5A) and the top of the cap ring 150.

A cross bore or hole 214 through and near the lower end of the pistoncylinder 124 allows air in the third pneumatic volume 204 to communicatefreely with air in the fourth pneumatic volume 206. Since there are noseals isolating them from each other, and particularly below the groove138, the pneumatic volumes 200, 202, 204, and 206 are all in freecommunication with each other all the time.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the head 90 and the electronics module 92together define a valve 220 that includes the hydraulic fluid spacewithin the head. The hydraulic fluid space in this example is defined inpart by the bore 104 formed across the head 90. One end of the bore 104is selectively closed off by the above-described insert 106 and bleedscrew 112. A valve body or poppet, i.e., an isolator 222 is received inthe bore 104 in the head 90 and a portion of the isolator 222 extendsthrough the opposite end of the bore. A bushing 224 is seated in theopposite end of the bore 104 and is secured by a retaining ring 226. AnO-ring 228 is contained within the bore 104 between the retaining ring226 and a step shoulder 230 formed in the bore.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the head 90 in this example includes a first fluidconduit or first passage 232 that extends through the boss 116 and opensat one end into the bore 104 and opens at its other end into the firstpressure chamber 100 at the end of the second boss 122. The firstpassage 232 provides fluid communication between the bore 104 and thefirst pressure chamber 100 within the piston cylinder 124 connected tothe boss 116. The head 90 also includes a second fluid conduit or secondpassage 234 that extends through the boss 116 adjacent the first passage232. The second passage 234 opens at one end into the bore 104 and opensat its other end into the second pressure chamber 102 at the end of theboss 116 but to the side of the second boss 122. The second passage 234provides fluid communication between the bore 104 and the secondpressure chamber 102 in the space between the upper tube 84 and thepiston cylinder 124. A flow path 236 is defined at a smaller diametermid-region within the bore 104. The part of the bore 104 on one side(left side in FIG. 7A) of the flow path 236 is a part of the firstpressure chamber 100. The part of the bore 104 on the other side (rightside in FIG. 7A) of the flow path 236 is a part of the second pressurechamber 102. A tapered or conical shaped surface, i.e., a valve seat 238is formed in the head material within the bore 104 and adjacent the flowpath 236. The valve seat 238 faces the second pressure chamber 102 sideof the bore 104. The flow path allows fluid communication between thefirst and second pressure chambers 100, 102.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 8 show details of the isolator 222 for the valve 220.The isolator 222 is configured to selectively isolate the fluid in thefirst pressure chamber 100 from the fluid in the second pressure chamber102. The isolator 222 is configured to nullify any resultant forceproduced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting onthe isolator. The isolator 222 is essentially a cylinder with a firstportion 240 having a first diameter and defining a first end 242 of theisolator. The isolator 222 has a second portion 244 coupled to the firstportion 240, the second portion having a second diameter that is smallerthan the first diameter. The isolator 222 also has a plug 246 on an endof the second portion 244 opposite the first end 242, whereby the plugdefines a second end 248 of the isolator. The isolator 222 has alengthwise valve axis V, as shown in FIG. 8 , along a length of theisolator between the first end 242 and the second end 248. The plug 246has a diameter that is larger than the second diameter of the secondportion 244, and may be larger than, the same size as, or smaller thanthe first diameter of the first portion 240. A tapered or angled annularfirst surface 250 transitions between the larger diameter first portion240 and the smaller diameter second portion 244. A tapered or angledsecond surface or plug surface 252 transitions between the smallerdiameter second portion 244 and the larger diameter plug 246.

In this example, the first end 242 has a flat face or surface, which isdisposed and faces outside the head 90. The second end 248 also has aflat face or surface, which is exposed to the second pressure chamber102. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the isolator 222 is in a closed position,the second surface 252 of the plug 246 is borne against the valve seat238 adjacent the flow path 236. This closes the flow path 236 andisolates the first pressure chamber 100 and the second pressure chamber102 from one another. The shape and/or angle of the valve seat 238 andthe shape and/or angle of the second surface 252 should complement oneanother to assure a sufficient fluid tight seal in the closed position.As shown in FIG. 7B, when the isolator 222 is in an open position, theplug 246, and thus the second surface 252, is spaced from the valve seat238. This opens the flow path 236 allowing fluid communication betweenthe first pressure chamber 100 and the second pressure chamber 102.

The upper tube 84, the piston cylinder 124, and the cap ring 150 (seeFIGS. 5A and 5B) are fixed relative to each other and thus areconstrained to move together as a unit. Hydraulic system pressure actson these parts, and exerts a net upward force on the parts. Thus, thehead 90, the upper tube 84, the piston cylinder 124, and the cap ring150 are all biased upward. However, since the hydraulic fluid in thefirst pressure chamber 100 is incompressible, a downward force on thehead 90 pressurizes the fluid but the head is unable to move downwardtoward the piston 132. Furthermore, when the rider sits on the saddle56, a force resulting from the rider's weight is transferred downwardsthrough the saddle to the head 90. However, since the fluid in the firstpressure chamber 100 is incompressible, the head 90 pressurizes thefluid but the head is unable to move downward towards the piston 132.Thus, the incompressible fluid in the first pressure chamber 100supports the rider's weight and reacts against the forces created by theweight of the rider sitting on the saddle 56, holding the head 90, andthus the saddle in position. In other words, the first pressure chamber100 might be said to have a loaded pressure, i.e., under load from thesaddle 56 and the fluid pressure itself, that is proportional to a loadapplied along the tube axis T.

Fluid in the first pressure chamber 100 is in communication with theisolator 222 via the first passage 232 in the head 90. Fluid in thefirst pressure chamber 100 is pressurized either by the rider's weighton the saddle 56 as described below, by a preset pressure, such as apneumatic preset pressure, also as below, or by both. Referring to FIGS.7A and 8 , fluid pressure from the first pressure chamber 100 acts onthe first surface 250 and the outer surface of the second portion 244,as well as on a portion of the outer surface of the first portion 240and a portion of the second surface 252 when the isolator 222 is in theclosed position of FIG. 7A.

The isolator 222 and bore 104 are configured so that hydraulic fluidcontacts the outer surfaces around the entire circumferences of thefirst and second portions 240, 244. Thus, a net force, applied byhydraulic fluid pressure, on the outer surface of the first portion 240is close to or equal to zero. Likewise, a net force on the outer surfaceof the second portion 244 is also close to or equal to zero. The exposedsurface area of the first surface 250, the entirety of which is exposedto the pressure of the fluid in the first pressure chamber 100, isnearly equal to the surface area of the exposed portion (i.e., not incontact with the valve seat 238) of the second surface 252, and which isexposed to the pressure of the fluid in the first pressure chamber 100.Thus, force exerted on the opposed first and second surfaces 250, 252 byfluid pressure in the first pressure chamber 100 is nullified. Theforces applied to these two surfaces 250, 252 oppose each other and thusproduce a net neutral force that is near zero on the isolator 222. Theresult is that, although the fluid pressure in the first pressurechamber 100 acts on the isolator 222, the fluid pressure in the firstpressure chamber 100 has a net force of equal to or near zero on theisolator. An important implication of this is that, although the fluidpressure in the first pressure chamber 100 will vary directly accordingthe weight of the rider applied to the saddle 56 and the downward forcethat the rider's body exerts on the saddle while riding, the net forcesacting on the isolator 222 are substantially independent of thesefactors. Thus, the energy and/or forces required to open the valve 220will be largely, if not entirely, independent of rider weight/load.

Referring to FIG. 5A, fluid, i.e., air pressure in the pneumatic systemwithin the fourth pneumatic volume 206 acts with upward force throughthe floating piston 130 to pressurize the hydraulic fluid in the secondpressure chamber 102. Referring to FIG. 7A, hydraulic fluid in thesecond pressure chamber 102 is in communication with the isolator 222via the second passage 234 in the head 90. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 8 ,fluid pressure from the first pressure chamber 100 acts on thecircumference or outer perimeter of the plug 246 and on the second end248. The net force on the outer perimeter surface of the plug 246 iszero. The net force on the second end 248 of the isolator 222 biases theisolator into contact with the valve seat 238, i.e., to the left in FIG.7A, forming a fluid-tight seal. The position of the isolator 222 in FIG.7A is again referred to as an isolated or closed position because theisolator isolates the first and second pressure chambers 100, 102. Inother words, in the closed position, the isolator 222 blocks fluid flowthrough the flow path 236 between the first and second passages 232, 234and thus between the first and second pressure chambers 100, 102. Whenthe isolator 222 is in the isolation or closed position of FIG. 7A, thevalve 220 is closed.

When a rider is not seated on the saddle 56, the balance of forces inthe system is such that the fluid pressure in the second pressurechamber 102 is greater than the fluid pressure in the first pressurechamber 100. If the rider actuates the valve 220 (as described below), aportion of the electronics module 92 (also described below) pushes theisolator 222 from the isolation or closed position of FIG. 7A to theopen or actuated position of FIG. 7B. Referring to FIG. 7B, the isolator222 is positioned such that fluid may flow through the flow path 236between the first and second passages 232, 234 and thus between thefirst and second pressure chambers 100, 102. Further, since the fluidpressure in the second pressure chamber 102 is greater than the fluidpressure in the first pressure chamber 100, fluid flows from the secondpressure chamber via the second passage 234, through the flow path 236,to the first pressure chamber 100 via the first passage 232. Ashydraulic fluid is forced into the first pressure chamber 100, the head90 and upper tube 84, along with all the parts that are fixed to theseparts, are pushed upward to accommodate the resulting increase in fluidvolume in the first pressure chamber 100. As the head 90 rises, thesaddle 56 rises. The rider can choose to allow the saddle 56 and upperpost 84 to rise to the fully extended position of FIGS. 3A and 4A or, ifdesired, can adjust the saddle to a lesser intermediate height.

When the isolator 222 is positioned as shown in FIG. 7B, the valve 220is open. The balance of forces (i.e. fluid pressures) acting on theisolator 222 will tend to bias the isolator toward the valve seat 238.However, if the electronics module 92 is still operated to open thevalve 220, as described below, the isolator 222 is retained in the openposition. When the electronics module 92 is operated accordingly,however, a portion of the module will release the isolator 222. Thebalance of the fluid forces within the head 90 will then push isolator222 toward the valve seat 238 until the isolator 222 is again positionedas shown in FIG. 7A in the closed position against the valve seat. Withthe valve 220 closed, hydraulic fluid is again prevented from flowingvia the flow path 236 between the first and second pressure chambers100, 102. Thus, the head 90 and the saddle 56 will remain in thevertical height position at the instant the valve 220 closed.

When a rider is seated on the saddle 56, the rider's weight is, aspreviously described, supported by the incompressible fluid in the firstpressure chamber 100. The fluid in the first pressure chamber 100,therefore, becomes highly pressurized by the rider's weight, and exceedsthe fluid pressure in the second pressure chamber 102. However, asdescribed above, the zero or near zero net force on the isolator 222 ofthe valve 220 keeps the isolator in the closed position. If the rideroperates the electronics module 92 to actuate the isolator 222, asdescribed in detail below, the isolator will move from the closedposition of FIG. 7A to the open position of FIG. 7B. The isolator 222will move in this manner by operation of the electronic portion, asdescribed below, of the valve 220 against the fluid pressure in thesecond pressure chamber 102. Hydraulic fluid will then flow from thefirst pressure chamber 100 via the first passage 232, through the flowpath 236, and into the second pressure chamber 102 via the secondpassage 234. With less fluid in the first pressure chamber 100, the head90 and upper tube 84, and thus the saddle 56, can move downward towardthe piston 132, thus lowering the height of the saddle. The rider canchoose to move the saddle and upper post 84 to the fully retractedposition of FIGS. 3B and 4B or can choose a greater intermediate height.When the rider operates the electronics module 92 accordingly, theisolator 222 can again be released. The balance of forces on theisolator 222 will force the isolator to the closed position with theplug 246 abutting the valve seat 238, as shown in FIG. 7A. With theisolator 222 again in the isolation or closed position, hydraulic fluidis prevented from flowing between the first and second pressure chambers100, 102. The head 90 and upper tube 84 will thus remain in the verticalposition attained at the instant the valve 220 closed.

Electronic Portion

The electronic portion of the seat post assembly 80 includes theelectronics module 92, as depicted in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A, and 7B, which isincorporated as a part of the head 90 and the valve 220. The electronicsmodule 92 is configured to receive wireless signals from a wirelessactuator 260 that is mounted to the handlebars 54 (see FIG. 1 ). Thewireless actuator 260 is configured to operate the electronics module 92to open or close the valve 220. To do so, a transmission signal isinitiated by a rider by using an actuator of some type, such as a leveror a button, on the wireless actuator.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 7A, 9A, 9B, and 10 , and more specifically toFIG. 9A, the electronics module 92 has a bearing housing 262 that ismounted to the head 90. The bearing housing 262 includes a rearprojecting boss 264 that is received within a corresponding bore 266 inthe head. In this manner, the bearing housing 262 is accuratelypositioned relative to the head 90. The bearing housing 262 may be fixedto the head 90, such as by using machine screws 268 or the like. Asshown in FIG. 7A, a lower ball bearing 270 and an upper ball bearing 272are pressed into corresponding bores in the bearing housing 262. Arotary cam 274 is supported within the bearing housing 262 by thebearings 270, 272.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, the rotary cam 274 has first and secondportions 276, 278, respectively, that are cylinders both co-axial withone another and with the cam, and that define a cam rotation axis C. Thecam 274 also has a third and fourth portions 280 that are alsocylinders, but that are eccentric and positioned between the first andsecond portions 276, 278 along a length of the cam. The eccentricportions 280, 282 are co-axial with each other but are not co-axial withthe co-axial portions 276, 278. Thus, as the cam 274 rotates about thecam axis C shared by the first and second co-axial portions 276, 278,the third and fourth eccentric portions 280, 282 rotate in an eccentricmanner about and relative to the axis C. Referring to FIG. 7A, thebottom or second co-axial portion 278 of the cam 274 is received in theinner race of the lower bearing 270. The other or first co-axial portion276 of the cam 274 is received in the inner race of the upper bearing272. A third ball bearing 284 is press fit onto the eccentric fourthportion 282 of the cam 274.

Referring to FIGS. 12A-12C, the electronics module 92 also includes agearmotor 290, which has an electric motor 292 and a gearhead 294. In anembodiment, the electric motor 292 is a direct current or DC motor. Thegearmotor 290 also has an output shaft 296 projecting from the gearhead294. The gearhead 294 and output shaft 296 are configured and arrangedsuch that the output shaft rotates slower, but with more torque, than amotor output shaft (not shown) of the motor 292. In one example, thegearmotor 290 may be an off-the-shelf unit, such as a POLOLU ELECTRONICSmicro metal 6 volt gearmotor (Pololu Item No. 998). Similar gearmotorsare also available from PRECISION MICRODRIVES (London, England) as wellas other manufacturers.

Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11C, and 12A-12C, the output shaft 296 of thegearmotor 290 may have a D-shaped or other non-round cross section.Likewise, the cam 274 may have a correspondingly shaped hole 298 at atop end of the cam. The output shaft 296 is received in the hole 298 sothat rotation of the shaft rotates the cam 274 in concert therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 10, 13A, 13B, and 14 , as shown, a motor supportbracket 300 is screwed or otherwise attached to the head 90, such as bymachine screws 302. Optionally, the motor support bracket 300 may beaccurately positioned relative to the head 90 by a guide pin 304, asshown in FIG. 16 . Referring to FIG. 13B, the motor support bracket 300may have a “double-D” or other non-round shaped interior openingincluding opposed cylindrical surface segments 306 and opposed planarsurface segments or flats 308. The motor 292 may have a body or housing288 (see FIG. 12A) with a complementary double-D or other shape so as toclosely fit within the opening of the motor support bracket 300, asdepicted in FIG. 14 . There may be a small, but important amount ofclearance between the double-D surfaces of the housing 288 of the motor292 and the double-D surfaces 306 and flats 308 of the motor supportbracket 300. The constrained arrangement of the motor 292 within theopening of the motor support bracket 300 allows the motor supportbracket 300 to react against a counter-torque of the gearmotor 290 whenthe gearmotor exerts a torque via the output shaft 296.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, 10, and 14 , the electronics module 92 may have aprinted circuit board or PCB 310. In one example, the PCB 310 may besecured to the motor support bracket 300 by the same screws 302 thatattach the motor support bracket to the head 90. Optionally, the PCB 310may be accurately positioned relative to the motor support bracket 300by a guide pin 312, as shown in FIG. 16 . The PCB 310 may also besecured to the bearing housing 262 by a screw 314 (see FIG. 10 ). Wiresor other conductive elements 316 can electrically connect the motor 292to the PCB 310.

The electronics module 92 may also include an optical positionindicator. For example, referring to FIG. 7A, an optical switch 320,which may be of a known type in the field of electronics, such as forexample an OMRON switch (part number EE-SX1131). The optical switch 320may be a component part of the PCB 310. Referring to FIGS. 7A and11A-11C, a photo-interrupter 322 may be provided as a part of the cam274. In this example, the photo-interrupter 322 is a disc on the top endof the cam 274, wherein the disc is perforated with a series of opticalopenings or windows 324 spaced around and through the disc. Thephoto-interrupter 322 may be integrally formed as a part of the cam 274or may be a separate item attached thereto. In one example, thephoto-interrupter 322 is integrally formed as a one-piece unitarystructure with the portions 276, 278, 280, 282 of the cam 274. Thephoto-interrupter 322 is positioned so as to selectively interrupt beamsof light emitted from the optical switch 320, depending on therotational or angular position of the cam 274 about the cam axis C.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 16 , electrical contacts 326, such as pogopins, may be spring loaded electrical contacts biased outward from thePCB 310 and motor 292. The pogo pins 326 may be electrically connectedto the PCB 310. A seal 328 may be provided around the base of the pogopins 326, such as an elastomeric seal.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 15, and 17 , the PCB 310 may include a pushbuttonswitch 330. The pushbutton switch 330 may be an off-the-shelf electricalcomponent, such as a momentary-type electrical switch with a button-typeactuation. A button 332 projects from a bore 333 in a cover 334 of theelectronics module 92 and is retained by a retaining ring 336. An O-ring338 is contained within a gland 340 formed by the outer surface of thebutton 332, the cover 334, and a washer 342 surrounding the button 332.The washer 342 captures the O-ring 338 against a step surface 344 withinthe bore 333. A biasing element, such as a compression spring 346,biases the button 332 outward from the cover 334 (to the left in FIG. 15). The button 332 and its associated parts are configured and arrangedsuch that when the rider presses the button, a distal or interior end348 of the button contacts and actuates the pushbutton switch 330.Furthermore, when the rider releases the button 332, the spring 346biases the button out of contact with the pushbutton switch 330, causingthe pushbutton switch to turn off.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 17 , the PCB 310 may include a light emittingdiode or LED 350. An optically transparent or translucent lens 352 maybe fixed to a corresponding hole 354 in the cover 334 that overlies theLED 350. The lens 352 is configured and arranged so when the LED 350emits light, the emitted light passes through the lens and is visible tothe rider. The purpose of the LED 350 is described further below.

Referring to FIGS. 6A, and 10 , a weatherproof seal 356 may be containedwithin a groove in the head 90 and surrounding the guts of theelectronics module 92. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 17 , the cover 334 ispositioned as shown relative to the head 90 over the gearmotor 290, PCB310, and cam 274. The cover 334 may be secured to the head 90 in asuitable manner, such as with four thread-forming screws 358, which canbe seen in FIG. 19 . The seal 356 is sized such that it is deformed orcompressed when the cover 334 is secured with screws 358 to the head 90,forming a fluid-tight weatherproof seal between the head and the cover.The sealed cover 334 protects the internal components of the electronicsmodule 92 from the elements during use. Referring to FIG. 16 , the seals328 adjacent the electrical contacts or pogo pins 326 may be sized toalso be deformed or compressed when the cover 334 is secured with thescrews 358 to the head 90. The seals 328 form a fluid-tight weatherproofseal against the cover 334 and against the PCB 310. The seals 328 and356 prevent water and other contaminants from entering the interiorvolume of the electronics module 92.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A-C, the electronics module 92 also includesa power supply, such as a battery 360 or battery pack that is attachableto the cover 334 to provide power for the module. Another seal, such asan elastomeric seal 362 may be seated in a groove 364 in an outer face366 of the cover 334. A latch axle or pin 370 may have a knurled end(not shown), and may be pressed into a hole in the cover 334, such as atthe top of the cover. The latch pin 370 is also passed through a boreacross a latch lever 372 such that the latch lever is rotatable aroundthe latch pin. At least one battery 360 may be provided and sufficientto provide power to components of the PCB 310, the electric motor 292,and other parts of the electronics module 92 as needed. The battery 360may be a rechargeable battery, such as for example a lithium polymertype battery, which may produce a fully charged voltage of approximately7.5 volts. The battery 360 may have a shell or case 374 with a foot orprojection 376 protruding near a bottom edge of the shell. Theprojection 376 may engage a corresponding slot 378 in the cover 334.

The battery 360 may also have a detent 380 on a top of the shell or case374. The latch lever 372 may have a corresponding catch 382 configuredto engage with the detent 380. The seal 362 in the face of the cover 334may be sized and configured so that when the battery 360 is positionedas shown in FIG. 18A, the seal is under compression. This forms thewaterproof seal between the mating surfaces of the battery shell 374 andthe cover 334. The compressive force in the seal 362 bias the battery360 away from the face 366 of the cover 334 (to the left in FIG. 18A).This pushing the foot or projection 376 firmly against a surface of theslot 378 to and ensure a tight or secure connection between the catch382 of the latch lever 372 and the detent on the shell 374 of thebattery 360. When the battery 360 is attached to the cover 334, as inFIG. 18A, the electrical contacts or pogo pins 326 of the PCB 310contact electrical contacts 309 on the battery (see FIG. 16 ). Thus,when the battery 360 is attached to the cover 334, electrical contact ismade and maintained between the battery and the PCB 310.

In the disclosed example, the battery 360 or battery pack is positionedbeneath the saddle 56. In FIG. 1 , the arrow A depicts a normal ridingor forward moving direction of the bicycle 50. In an embodiment, thebattery 360 or battery pack is also disposed on the rearward side of theseat post assembly 80 on the rear side of the head 90 behind the uppertube 84 relative to the forward direction A of the bicycle 50. Bypositioning the battery 360 or battery pack in this manner and location,the battery is protected in the vertical by the saddle 56 and ahorizontal direction by the upper post 84 and head 90. The battery 360or battery pack is also disposed in an aerodynamically advantageousposition that minimizes drag as the bicycle moves in the forwarddirection R. However, other mounting positions for the battery 360 orbattery pack are also possible. In one example, such as that shown inFIG. 30 , the battery or battery pack may be positioned on the front orforward side of the seat post assembly 80 or head 90 and/or may beplaced in a different vertical location on the seat post assembly. Suchplacement may have additional or alternative advantages, for examplesuch forward placement may protect the battery 360 from contact byexternal items, such as brush, or from contact with the rear wheel in arear suspensioned bicycle. Further, as can be seen in FIG. 30 , at leastpart of the battery 360 may be disposed vertically above the axis R ofthe of the rails 454. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2 , the batterymay be disposed partially or entirely below the axis R of the of therails 454.

FIGS. 18B and 18C illustrate a procedure to remove the battery 360 fromthe seat post assembly 80, in reverse, to attach the battery. Referringto FIG. 18B, a rider may use a finger to lift upwardly on the free endof the latch lever 372, rotating the latch lever upward about the latchpin 370. This disengages the catch 382 of the latch lever 372 from thelatching portion or detent 380 of the battery shell 374. The rider canthen rotate the battery 360 forward about the projection or foot 376 andthen lift the battery up and away from the cover 334. FIGS. 17 and 18Cshow the seat post assembly 80 with the battery 360 removed. In order toinstall the battery 360, the rider simply reverses the battery removalprocedure. The latch lever 372 may be spring biased to the downwardposition shown in FIGS. 18A and 18C. The latch pin may include a torsionspring (not shown) to accomplish this feature. The latch lever 372 maythen automatically snap into place, securing the battery 360 to thecover when the battery is installed.

Upon installation of the battery 360, the electronics module 92 may beconfigured to initiate a homing procedure. A microprocessor (not shown)on the PCB 310 can send a signal to a motor controller (not shown) onthe PCB, which in turn allows the motor 292 to draw current from thebattery 360. The motor 292, when actuated or instructed, may convertelectrical energy from the battery 360 into rotational mechanicalenergy. When actuated, the motor 292 can then run and transmit powerthrough the gearhead 294 to the output shaft 296. As previouslydescribed, the D-shaped output shaft 296 of the gearmotor 290 is matedin the corresponding D-shaped hole 298 of the cam 273. Therefore, theoutput shaft 296, when driven by the motor 292, rotationally drives thecam 274 about the cam axis C. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 11A-11C, as thecam 274 rotates about its rotational axis C, the windows 324 and bars325 between the windows of the photo-interrupter 322 alternatelyinterrupt light beam(s) from the optical switch 320. This allows themicroprocessor to detect and determine the resulting electrical pulsesgenerated by the photo-interrupter 322 as the cam 274 rotates.

One bar 390 of the photo-interrupter 322 may be much wider than theother bars 325 separating the windows 324. The wider bar 390 may bepositioned at a known angular or rotational position relative to one ofthe eccentric portions, such as the lowest eccentric or fourth portion282 on the cam 274. The wider bar 390 may be utilized by the electronicsmodule 92 to detect or determine the precise position of the cam 274 toproperly control the operation of the valve 220. As the cam 274 rotates,the electrical pulse associated with the wider bar 390 will have a muchlonger duration than the electrical pulses associated with the otherbars 325. In this way, the microprocessor can recognize when the widerbar 390 breaks the light beam(s) of the optical switch 320, thereby also“recognizing” the precise rotational or angular position of theeccentric cam portion 282 at that moment. Thereafter, in one example,the microprocessor need only count through a predetermined additionalnumber of pulses before stopping the gearmotor 290 and the cam 274 inthe position shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A. In this position, there isclearance between the ball bearing (24) that resides on the eccentricportion 282 of the cam 274 and the first end 242 of the isolator 222.The valve 220 and its associated parts, as described above, are thus inthe closed or isolation position of FIG. 7A. This position of the cam274 may be referred to as the home position or an unactuated position.

The wireless actuator 260, which in this example is mounted to thehandlebars 54, is configured to send wireless signals to the seat postassembly 80, and more specifically, to the electronics module 92. Inorder for the wireless actuator 260 and the seat post assembly 80 touniquely identify one another, i.e., to pair with one another, thefollowing sequence of actions may be performed. Referring to FIG. 17 , arider first presses and holds the button 332. The LED 350, which isvisible through the lens 352, will then start flashing slowly,indicating to the rider that the system is in pairing mode. Next, therider releases the button 332 and presses and holds a pairing button(not shown) on the wireless actuator 260. Once the seat post assembly 80and the wireless actuator 260 have been successfully paired, the LED 350may begin flashing rapidly, indicating to the rider that the pairing wassuccessful. The rider may then release the button on the wirelessactuator 260, at which time the electronics module 92 and wirelessactuator 260 will exit the pairing mode. Other alternative riderinterface schemes and/or sequences for pairing are also possible. Oncepaired, the wireless actuator 260 can be utilized by a rider tomanipulate and adjust the seat post assembly 80.

While riding with the saddle 56 positioned at any given verticalposition, or height, the cam 274 is positioned in the home position, andthe valve 220 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 9A. When the riderwishes to adjust the vertical position of the saddle 56, the rider maypress and hold an actuator or button on the wireless actuator 260mounted on the handlebars 54 of the bicycle. As long as the actuator orbutton is being pressed and held by the rider, a wireless signal to openthe valve 220 may be repeatedly transmitted by the wireless actuator260, and may be repeatedly received by a receiver, such as an antenna ofa radio chip and/or wireless antennae (not shown) on the PCB 310. Asignal is transmitted from the radio chip to the microprocessor of thePCB 310, and the microprocessor sends a signal to the motor controllerof the PCB 310. The motor controller then allows the motor 292 to drawcurrent from the battery 360. The motor 292 converts electrical powerfrom the battery 360 into rotational mechanical power, which istransmitted from the motor 292 through the gearhead 294, to be output asrotation of the output shaft 296. As previously described, the D-shapedoutput shaft 296 of the gearmotor 290 is mated with a correspondinglyD-shaped hole 298 of the cam 274. Thus, rotation of the output shaft 296rotationally drives the cam 274 about the axis C.

As the cam 274 rotates, the photo-interrupter 322 on the cam 274 alsorotates therewith, alternately breaking the beam(s) of light emitted bythe optical switch 320. The microprocessor of the PCB 310 may count theresulting electrical pulses generated by the optical switch 320. In thismanner, the PCB 310 and the microprocessor can determine and/or maintaindata representing the rotational position of the cam 274. Since theeccentric surface, i.e., the fourth portion 282 of the cam 274, and thethird bearing 284 carried thereby along with the ball bearing 284, areeccentrically positioned relative to the rotational axis C of the cam274, rotation of the cam 274 causes the ball bearing 284 to rotate aboutand translate relative to the rotational axis C. As the cam 274 rotates,the bearing 284 will come into contact with the first end 242 of theisolator 222. As the cam 274 continues to rotate, the ball bearing 284will force the isolator 222 from the closed or isolation position shownin FIGS. 7A and 9A to the open position shown in FIGS. 7B and 9B. Inthis example, while the ball bearing 284 pushes the isolator 222,sliding is limited between the outer race of the ball bearing and thefirst end 242 of the isolator. In this example, there is also minimalsliding between the inner race of ball bearing 284 and the cam 274. Thelack of sliding, which is created by the bearing being carried on thecam 274 and being positioned at the contact point with the isolator 222,eliminates the substantial majority, if not all, sliding friction thatwould result. This component arrangement greatly reduces the amount ofenergy required of the battery 360 and gearmotor 290 to open the valve220.

Further, since the microprocessor of the PCB 310 may count pulses fromthe optical switch 320, the microprocessor can recognize when the valve220 is nearly fully open (by noting the rotational position of the cam274). The microprocessor can thus be programmed to manage the power flowor delivery to the motor 292, such as by using aproportional-integral-derivative or PID control algorithm. Doing so canresult in the motor 292 being stopped when the valve 220 is fully open.Once the valve 220 is open, the rider may vertically position the saddle56 in the manner as previously described, either by putting weight onthe saddle 56 to lower it, or by removing weight from the saddle toallow it to rise. Once the saddle 56 is in the desired position, therider may release the actuator or button on the wireless actuator 260 atthe handlebars 54. This will send a wireless signal to the PCB 310 toclose the valve 220 and move the isolator 222 to the closed position.The wireless signal is received by the radio chip on the PCB 310, isprocessed by the microprocessor, and then the motor 292 is controlled torotate the cam 274 to move the ball bearing 284 away from and out ofcontact with the first end 242 of the isolator 222. This will allow thepreviously described system fluid pressure to force the isolator 222 toreturn from the open position shown in FIGS. 7B and 9B to the closedposition of FIGS. 7A and 9A. As the cam 274 rotates and nears theabove-described home position, the microprocessor may count electricalpulses from the optical switch 320. The microprocessor may then managethe power flow or delivery to the motor 292 using a PID controlalgorithm such that the motor stops when the cam 274 is in the homeposition with the valve 220 closed. The saddle 56 will then remain inthe position it maintained at the time the valve 220 closed.

A block diagram illustrating the components of the electronic portion,or electronic apparatus 710, is displayed in FIG. 32 . The PCB 310includes a processor 20, memory 10, and a communication interface 730.The PCB 310 may also include or be communicatively coupled to a wake-upsensor 87, a user interface 720, a position indicator interface, and/ora gearmotor interface 790. The processor 20 also refers to themicroprocessor as described herein, and may include a general processor,digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), analog circuit, digitalcircuit, combinations thereof, or other now known or later developedprocessor. The processor 20 may be a single device or combinations ofdevices, such as through shared or parallel processing.

The memory 10 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. Thememory 10 may include one or more of a read only memory (ROM), randomaccess memory (RAM), a flash memory, an electronic erasable program readonly memory (EEPROM), or other type of memory. The memory 10 may beremovable from the apparatus 710, such as a secure digital (SD) memorycard. In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, acomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device. Accordingly,the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium and other equivalents and successor media, inwhich data or instructions may be stored. The memory is used to storeinstructions for the processor 20.

The memory 10 is a non-transitory computer-readable medium and isdescribed to be a single medium. However, the term “computer-readablemedium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as acentralized or distributed memory structure, and/or associated cachesthat are operable to store one or more sets of instructions and otherdata. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any mediumthat is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructionsfor execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to performany one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

The power supply 360 is a portable power supply, such as the batterydescribed as part of embodiments described herein. The power supply mayinvolve the generation of electric power, for example using a mechanicalpower generator, a fuel cell device, photo-voltaic cells, or other powergenerating devices. The power supply may include a battery such as adevice consisting of two or more electrochemical cells that convertstored chemical energy into electrical energy. The power supply 360 mayinclude one battery or a combination of multiple batteries or otherpower providing devices. Specially fitted or configured battery types,or standard battery types such as CR 2012, CR 2016, and/or CR 2032 maybe used.

The communication interface 730 provides for data and/or signalcommunication from the apparatus 710 to another component of thebicycle, such as one or more wireless actuators, or an external devicesuch as a mobile phone or other computing device. The communicationinterface 730 communicates the data using any operable connection. Anoperable connection may be one in which signals, physicalcommunications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/orreceived. An operable connection may include a physical interface, anelectrical interface, and/or a data interface. The communicationinterface 730 is configured to communicate wirelessly, and as suchincludes one or more antennae or radio device. The communicationinterface 730 provides for wireless communications in any now known orlater developed format. Although the present specification describescomponents and functions that may be implemented in particularembodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, theinvention is not limited to such standards and protocols. For example,standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission(e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP, HTTPS) represent examples of thestate of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by fasteror more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.Bluetooth®, ANT+™, ZigBee, WiFi, and/or AIREA™ standards may also, oralternatively, be used. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein areconsidered equivalents thereof. In an embodiment, the communicationinterface 730 may be configured to transmit a signal indicative of adetermined and/or detected pedaling state of a bicycle drivetrain.Further, the determined pedaling state may be transmitted wirelessly.

The gearmotor interface 790 provides for data and/or signalcommunication the gearmotor 290 to the circuitry of the PCB 310. Theinterface 790 communicates using wired techniques. For example, theinterface 790 communicates with the gearmotor 290 using a system bus, orother communication technique. The interface 790 may include additionalelectric and/or electronic components, such as an additional processorand/or memory for detecting, communicating, and/or otherwise processingsignals of the gearmotor 290. In an embodiment, a dedicated and distinctgearmotor interface 790 may not be used, but the processor 20 may beconfigured to control, read, and/or process the gearmotor signals, thusintegrating the gearmotor interface 790 with the processor 20 in wholeor in part.

The apparatus 710 may also include a position indicator 752 of thegearmotor 290 or gearing coupled thereto, such as the optical switch 320described herein. The position indicator interface 752 provides for dataand/or signal communication from the position indicator 752 to thecircuitry of the PCB 310. The interface 750 communicates using wiredtechniques. For example, the interface 750 communicates with theposition indicator 752 using a system bus, or other communicationtechnique. The interface 750 may include additional electric and/orelectronic components, such as an additional processor and/or memory fordetecting, communicating, and/or otherwise processing signals of theposition indicator 752. In an embodiment, a dedicated and distinctposition indicator interface 750 may not be used, but the processor 20may be configured to control, read, and/or process the gearmotorsignals, thus integrating the position indicator interface 750 with theprocessor 20 in whole or in part.

The user interface 720 may be one or more buttons, lights, or otherdevice or component for communicating data between a user and theapparatus 710. The user interface 720 may include a liquid crystaldisplay (“LCD”) panel, light emitting diode (“LED”), LED screen, thinfilm transistor screen, or another type of display or light emittingdevices. The user interface 720 may also include audio capabilities, orspeakers.

In an embodiment, the user interface 720 includes an LED indicator, suchas the LED 350 described herein. The LED indicator lights to indicateinput of the commands or other actions of the apparatus 710.

In an embodiment, the apparatus 710 and/or the PCB 310 may include awake-up sensor 87, which also may be used to conserve the power supply360. The wake-up sensor 87 may be configured to detect motion and toprovide power to the processor 20 and/or other components once suchmotion has been detected. One example of the wake-up sensor may includea ball-in-cage-type switch, where movement of the ball within aconductive cage causes the ball to contact the cage and complete acircuit. In another example the wake-up sensor may be a tilt sensor. Italso is contemplated that other types of wake-up sensors may be used aswell, for example single or multiple axis accelerometers may be used. Inan embodiment using an accelerometer as a wake-up sensor, a thresholdvalue from the accelerometer indicative of bicycle use may be used todetermine whether to provide power to apparatus 710 components.

In this manner, the processor 20 may consume power very little to nopower unless the apparatus 710 detects motion, and the antenna may notconsume power unless the apparatus 710 determines that that motioncorresponds to pedaling as opposed to some other cause.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure,methods described herein may be implemented with software programsexecutable by a computer system, such as the circuitry included on thePCB 310. Further, in an exemplary, non-limited embodiment,implementations can include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtualcomputer system processing can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods or functionality as described herein.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, script, or code) can be written in any form of programminglanguage, including compiled or interpreted languages, and it can bedeployed in any form, including as a standalone program or as a module,component, subroutine, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program does not necessarily correspond to afile in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a filethat holds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs to perform functions by operating on input data andgenerating output. The processes and logic flows can also be performedby, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logiccircuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC(application specific integrated circuit).

As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ or ‘circuit’ refers toall of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such asimplementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) tocombinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (asapplicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions ofprocessor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software,and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as amobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) tocircuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of amicroprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, evenif the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term in thisapplication, including in any claims. As a further example, as used inthis application, the term “circuitry” would also cover animplementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portionof a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware,as well as other electronic components. The term “circuitry” would alsocover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, abaseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuitfor a mobile computing device or a similar integrated circuit in server,a cellular network device, or other network device.

Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, byway of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, andany one or more processors of any kind of digital computer. Generally, aprocessor receives instructions and data from a read only memory or arandom access memory or both. The essential elements of a computer are aprocessor for performing instructions and one or more memory devices forstoring instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes, orbe operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, orboth, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic,magneto optical disks, or optical disks. However, a computer need nothave such devices. Moreover, a computer can be embedded in anotherdevice, e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), amobile audio player, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or anapparatus 710 to name just a few. Computer readable media suitable forstoring computer program instructions and data include all forms ofnon-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flashmemory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removabledisks; magneto optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. Theprocessor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in,special purpose logic circuitry.

Other examples of the rider interface, pairing procedure, wirelesssignal transmission and receiving, and the like are possible within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure. In the above-describedexample, the rider presses and holds an actuator or button on a wirelessactuator to adjust the saddle position, and releases the actuator orbutton to achieve and maintain the selected position. In one alternativeexample, the rider may press and release an actuator or button to adjustthe vertical position of the saddle and may again press and release thesame actuator or button to then hold and maintain a selected saddleposition. In another example, the rider may press and release a firstactuator to adjust the saddle position and may then press and release asecond different actuator to hold and maintain the selected saddleposition.

Other aspects, features, and components of the disclosed seat postassembly 80 may also be modified within the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure. In one example, the electronics module may includehard stops on one or more of the parts to limit the rotations travel ofthe cam and/or motor. In one example, the motor support bracket and cammay each include a hard stop element.

As shown in FIG. 20 , a cam 400 is illustrated and which issubstantially the same as the cam 274 described above. In this example,like reference numerals denote like parts in comparing the two cams. Thecam 400 can include a stop projection 402 with opposed stop surfaces404, 406. The stop surfaces 404, 406 may be configured to face inopposite circumferential directions. In this example, the stopprojection 402 protrudes radially relative to a first co-axial portion276 and protrudes axially from a bottom of the disc shapedphoto-interrupter 322.

As shown in FIG. 21 , a bearing housing 410 is illustrated and which issubstantially similar to the bearing housing 262 described above. Inthis example, like reference numerals denote like parts in comparing thetwo motor support brackets. The bearing housing 410 can include an upperportion 412 modified to include a ledge 414 surrounding a centralopening 416 through the housing and which would receive the cam 400 andassociated bearings 270, 272, and 284 described above. The ledge 414 canbe configured so that the stop projection 402 on the cam 400 can ridealong the ledge 414 as the cam rotates. The bearing housing 410 also hadtwo guide walls 418 projecting up adjacent the ledge 414 and disposedopposite one another across the housing. A pair of stops 420 are closelyspaced apart from one another on one side of the ledge 414 and the guidewalls 418. The two stops 420 protrude up from the ledge 414 and arepositioned so as to contact a respective one of the stop surfaces 404,406 as the stop projection rotates around the ledge and depending on therotational position of the cam 400.

FIGS. 22A-22C depict cross sectional views of a head 430, which has beenmodified to include the cam 400 and the bearing housing 410. FIG. 22Ashows the cam in a home position, rotated so that the isolator (notshown) is closed and not in contact with a portion of the cam. In thisposition, the stop surface 404 of the stop projection 402 on the cam 400contacts one of the stops 420 on the ledge 414. FIG. 22B shows the cam400 and stop projection 402 in an intermediate position rotated awayfrom the home position. FIG. 22C shows the cam 400 fully rotated to avalve open position whereby the stop surface 406 of the stop projection402 abuts the other stop 420 protruding up from the ledge 414. Hardstops, such as those disclosed in FIGS. 20, 21 , and 22A-22C may beincorporated as a back-up to or as a fail-safe mode for the abovedescribed example of the operating procedure of the electronics module92. Alternatively, such hard stops may be incorporated to allow thecomponentry of the module and the programming of the microprocessor onthe PCB 310 to be simplified. The hard stops can be used to stop themotor 292 rotating in either direction instead of or in addition to theoptical switch 320.

The addition of hard stops to the electronics module 92 is only one ofmany possible modifications that one may make to the configuration,construction, and operation of the seat post assembly 80. Other changesto the operating procedures and components may also be made within thespirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 23 , the saddle 56 is fixedly attached to thehead 90. In one example, the head 90 may be constructed to allow a riderto further adjustment the saddle position, other than just the saddleheight relative to the bicycle frame 52, as described above. In thisexample and referring to FIGS. 23-25 , the head 90 is configured toinclude the afore-mentioned saddle clamp mechanism 94. In this example,the head 90 has a relatively large through bore 440 extendingtransversely through the head and forward of the electronics module 92.A bearing surface 442 leading into the through bore 440 on each side ofthe head 90 are tapered or cone-shaped. Each bearing surface 442 of thethrough bore 440 tapers gradually to a smaller diameter moving from theoutside of the head 90 to the interior of the head. A first or rightside cap 444 and second or left side cap 446, respectively, areconfigured to seat in and cover or cap off a corresponding side of thethrough bore 440 on the head 90. Each cap 444, 446 has a male conical ortapered surface 448 that is shaped or contoured to correspondinglyengage the respective bearing surface 442 on the corresponding side ofthe through bore 440.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 23 , a first or right side clamp 450 anda second or left side clamp 452 are located immediately outboard of therespective first and second clamps 450, 452. The saddle 56 has a pair ofrails 454 that extend lengthwise along and under the saddle. The rails454 are spaced apart widthwise from one another, as shown in FIGS. 23and 24 , and each has a substantially linear segment 456, as shown inFIG. 2 . One of the rails 454 is captured between the first clamp 450and the first cap 444 on the right side of the head 90 and the other ofthe rails is captured between the second clamp 452 and the second cap446 on the left side of the head. As depicted in FIGS. 23 and 24 , eachof the clamps 450, 452 has a linear groove 458 with a semi-circularcross-section shape. Each of the caps 444, 446 has a correspondinglinear groove 460 with a semi-circular cross-section. With the clampsinstalled, as described below, each linear segment 456 of each of therails 454 resides within one of the pairs of the grooves 458, 460 andare clamped thereby.

Referring to FIGS. 23-25 , a seat clamp nut 462 is received throughaligned holes 464, 466 in the second cap 446 and the second clamp 452,respectively. A seat clamp bolt 468 is likewise received through alignedholes 464, 466 in the first cap 444 and the first clamp 450,respectively. The seat clamp bolt 468 has male threads that engage likefemale threads within the seat clamp nut 462. The bolt 468 and nut 462can be loosely secured to hold the components, i.e., the clamps 450, 452and caps 444, 446 to the head 90 and to hold the rails 454 between theclamps and caps. While loosely connected, the rider may adjust thefore-aft and/or tilt positions of the saddle 56.

The saddle 56 can be adjusted in a linear fore-aft direction along anaxis R of the rails 454. The rider can simply push or pull the saddle inthe direction of the rail axes and slide the saddle to a desiredfore-aft position in the direction of the arrows S in FIG. 26A.Additionally, the saddle 56 and rails 454, along with the first andsecond clamps 450, 452 and first and second caps 444, 446, can berotated as a unit about a transverse axis B defined by the through bore440 across the head 90. The tapered surfaces 448 on the caps 444, 446can rotate relative to the bearing surfaces 442 on the head 90 withinthe through bore. By doing so, the rider can adjust the forward orrearward angle or tilt angle of the saddle, such as to a level position(FIGS. 26A and 27A), a rearward tilted position (FIGS. 26B and 27B), aforward tilted position (FIGS. 26C and 27C), or any number ofintermediate positions. The manner that the rider may use to rotate thecaps to adjust the tilt angle of the saddle 56 is described in furtherdetail below. Once the rider has adjusted both the axial or fore-aftposition and the rotational or tilt position of the saddle 56 to thedesired position(s), the rider may tighten the seat clamp bolt 468. Thecombination of the bolt 468 and seat clamp nut 462 can apply a largecompressive force across the head 90. The force can fully seat the caps44, 446 in the bearing surfaces 442, the clamps 450, 452 over the caps,and the rails 454 within the grooves 458, 460, thus fixing the saddle 56in place relative to the head 90.

The seat clamp nut 462 can have a square section 470, such as directlyadjacent a nut head 472, as shown in FIG. 23 . The square section 470can seat in a like square shaped receptacle portion 474 in the hole inthe clamp 452. The respective square shapes of the section 470 andportion 474 can combine to prevent the nut from rotating as the seatclamp bolt 468 is tightened.

The head 90 also includes a mechanism to assist in adjusting the tiltangle of the saddle 56. As shown in FIGS. 23, 24, and 27A-27C, the head90 can also include a cross-dowel 480. A body 482 of the cross-dowel 480is cylinder-like but has a non-circular cross-section. In one example,the body 482 may be a cylinder near the middle but may have a double-Dshape with flats, or another non-round shape, at each of its two ends484. The middle part has a threaded adjuster hole 486 that is orientedperpendicular to the length of the body 482. A first of the ends 484 ofthe cross-dowel 480 engages a hole 488 in the first cap 444. A second ofthe ends 484 of the cross-dowel 580 engages a hole 488 in the second cap446.

An adjuster bolt 490 is received through an install hole 492 in a frontof the head 90, as depicted in FIGS. 23 and 27A. The adjuster bolt 490is threaded into the adjuster hole 486 in the cross-dowel 480. Theinstall hole 492 is also threaded but has a diameter large enough toloosely pass the adjuster bolt 490, including its bolt head 494 into thehead 90. Instead, a retainer 496 is threaded into the install hole 492,as shown in FIG. 27A. For the adjustment mechanism to function properly,the retainer 496 is assembled, i.e., installed to a depth wherein itdoes not quite contact or “bottom out” on the bolt head 494 of theadjuster bolt 490. For example, during assembly, the retainer 496 may bethreaded into the install hole 492 contacts the bolt head 494, but canthen be reversed or “backed off” slightly such that the retainer nolonger contacts the bolt head. In one example, the retainer 496 may beinstalled and held in place with a commercially available thread-lockingcompound such as LOCTITE “Threadblocker Blue 242” adhesive. Thecross-dowel 480, adjuster bolt 490, and retainer 496 may preferably bepre-installed in the head 90 at the factory. Unlike other parts in thehead 90 assembly, the cross-dowel 480, adjuster bolt 490, and retainer496 may not be intended to be removed from the head 90 by the userduring normal use.

The operation of the tilt adjuster mechanism is as follows. Again, therider can loosely install the caps 444, 446 and clamps 450, 452 onto thehead 90, as described above. In doing so, the hole 488 in each clamp450, 452 will engages the corresponding exposed end 484 on thecross-dowel 480. The holes 488 in the clamps 450, 452 and the ends 484on the cross-dowel 480 should be cooperatively configured so as topermit some play or clearance between the ends and the holes, bothlaterally and rotationally. However, the degree of play or clearanceshould still maintain the general lateral position and rotationalorientation of the cross-dowel having the adjuster bolt 490 and adjusterhole 486 loosely centered within the head 90 and directed generallyforward and rearward. Such increased clearance between the cross-dowelends 484 and the holes 488 can help prevent over-constraint or bindingof the cross-dowel 480.

With the seat clamp bolt 468 still slightly loose, the user then anappropriate tool to turn the adjuster bolt 490. Within the head 90, thebolt head 494 is loosely constrained or captured in its axial directionbetween a step or shoulder 498 within the install hole 492 and theretainer 496. Thus, the adjuster bolt 490 can essentially only rotate.Thus, as the adjuster bolt 490 is turned, depending on the direction ofrotation, the bolt either draws cross-dowel 480 toward the bolt head 494or pushes the cross-dowel away from the bolt head. Because the ends 484of the cross-dowel 480 are engaged in the holes 488 in the first andsecond caps 444, 446, and because the caps are constrained to onlyrotate about the through bore axis B, the caps will rotate about theaxis B as the cross-dowel moves via rotation of the adjuster bolt. Morespecifically, the first and second caps 444, 446, and, thus, the saddle56, may rotate clockwise in FIGS. 26A-27C if the rider rotates theadjuster bolt 490 clockwise (in looking directly at the bolt head 494from the right-hand side of the figures). The caps 444, 446 and saddle56 may rotate counter-clockwise if the rider rotates the adjuster bolt490 counter-clockwise (looking directly at the bolt head 494 from theright-hand side in the figures). Because cross-dowel 480 is constrainedto move in an arcuate path along with first and second caps 444, 446,the adjuster bolt 490 will pivot slightly at its head. The bolt head 494should be free to do so, since, as previously described, the retainer496 is not threaded tightly against bolt head. Further, because thesaddle 56, first and second clamps 450, 452, seat clamp nut 462, and theseat clamp bolt 468 are all still loosely held together with the caps444, 446, these parts also will rotate as the caps rotate. Simply byrotating the adjuster bolt 490, the rider can adjust the angle of thesaddle 56 to the desired orientation. Once the desired angle isachieved, and the rider has positioned the saddle 56 axially along therails 454, as described above, the rider can tighten the seat clamp bolt468, such as to a specified or desired torque. The saddle 56 is then setto the rider's preferences and ready for use.

An alternate example of a seat post assembly 500 is depicted in FIGS. 28and 29 . In this example, the seat post assembly 500 does not includeany of the height adjustable components that are described abovereferring to FIGS. 1-22C. Whereas the seat post assembly 80 included awireless, electric, height-adjustable seat post, the seat post assembly500 has a simple, fixed length seat post or tube 502, which may slide upand down directly within a frame tube 89 of a bicycle frame 52 to adjusta saddle height. The parts of the head 504 used in this example foradjusting the saddle tilt angle are identical to the parts used in theprevious example described referring to FIGS. 23-27C, with the exceptionthat the head 504 may be integrally formed with the main body of theseat post or tube 502, and does not include any features foraccommodating an electronics module 92, a valve 220, or the like.Alternatively, the head 504 may be a separate part that is fixedlyattached to the top portion of the seat post or tube 502. Theconstruction, assembly, and installation of the saddle clamp mechanismsare identical to those of the example referring to FIGS. 23-27C. Thisaspect of the adjustable seat post assembly, therefore, does not rely onor require the presence of electronics or a height-adjustable seat postarrangement in order to work.

Another alternate example of a seat post assembly 680 is depicted inFIG. 31 . This embodiment integrates an automatic seat angle adjustmentsystem 602. In the displayed embodiment the automatic seat angleadjustment system includes a linkage 604. The linkage 604 includes atleast an upper link 606 and a lower link 608. The lower link 608 isattached to the collar 182 of the lower tube 82 at a first joint 609.The upper link 606 is attached to the saddle clap mechanism 94 at asecond joint 607. The upper link 606 is attached to the lower link 608at a third joint 610. The first and third joints 609, 610 includefriction reducing devices 611, 612 that facilitate relative rotationalmovement between the attached components, such as bearings or bushings.The second joint 607 includes rotationally fixed attachment to thesaddle clamp mechanism 94, but the saddle clamp mechanism is rotatablerelative to the head or housing 90. As such, the saddle 56 may berotatable through an angle θ from a first angular position P1 to asecond angular position P2, as correlated through the seat angleadjustment system 602 to the height of the seat along the tube axis T.For example, when the height adjustable seat post assembly 680 is in afully retracted position, or lowest height, the linkage 604 causes theseat to be configured in the second angular position P2. When the heightadjustable seat post assembly 680 is in a fully extended position, orhighest height, the linkage 604 causes the seat to be configured in thefirst angular position P1. The automatic seat angle adjustment system602 enables the saddle 56 to be automatically positioned in preferredangular positions P1, P2 for the extended orientation and the retractedorientation, as well as any angular position therebetween depending onextension amount, as the seat angle is coupled to the seat post heightthrough the automatic seat angle adjustment system 602.

Although embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes,those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications,additions, and substitutions are possible, without departing from thescope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanyingclaims. It is therefore intended that the foregoing description beregarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understoodthat all equivalents and/or combinations of embodiments and examples areintended to be included in this description.

It is to be understood that the elements and features recited in theappended claims may be combined in different ways to produce new claimsthat likewise fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus,whereas the dependent claims appended below depend from only a singleindependent or dependent claim, it is to be understood that thesedependent claims may, alternatively, be made to depend in thealternative from any preceding or following claim, whether independentor dependent, and that such new combinations are to be understood asforming a part of the present specification.

Although certain adjustable seat post assembly parts, components,features, and methods of operation and use have been described herein inaccordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope ofcoverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, thispatent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure thatfairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seat post assembly for a bicycle, the seat postassembly comprising: a first tube having a first distal end; a secondtube having a second distal end, the first tube and second tube movablerelative to one another to establish a distance between the first distalend and the second distal end along a tube axis; a first pressurechamber having a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied alongthe tube axis; a second pressure chamber having a second pressure notproportional to the load; a flow path connecting the first pressurechamber and the second pressure chamber; and a valve having an isolatordisposed along the flow path and configured to move between a closedposition closing the flow path and an open position opening the flowpath between the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber,a head affixed to the second distal end of the upper tube, the headincluding an electronics module and a saddle clamp mechanism.
 2. Theseat post assembly of claim 1, wherein the electronics module includes agearmotor configured to operate the valve.
 3. The seat post assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the electronics module is further includes a wirelessactuator configured to cause the gearmotor to operate in response toreceived wireless signals.
 4. The seat post assembly of claim 3, whereinthe electronics module further includes a cover and a power supplyattachable to the cover.
 5. The seat post assembly of claim 1, whereinthe head further includes a bleed orifice.
 6. The seat post assembly ofclaim 5, wherein the head further includes a bleed screw, and the bleedorifice accesses a bore containing at least a portion of the isolator.7. The seat post assembly of claim 1, wherein the second pressure is apreset pressure and wherein an isolation force produced by the presetpressure in the second pressure chamber acts on a distal end of theisolator.
 8. The seat post assembly of claim 7, wherein the isolator, inthe closed position, is biased against a valve seat by the isolationforce produced by the preset pressure in the second pressure chamberacting on the isolator.
 9. The seat post assembly of claim 1, whereinthe isolator, in the closed position, is biased against a valve seat byan isolation force produced by a preset pressure in the second pressurechamber acting on a portion the isolator.
 10. The seat post assembly ofclaim 1, wherein a loaded force that is produced by the loaded pressurein the first pressure chamber acts on an intermediate portion of theisolator.
 11. The seat post assembly of claim 10, wherein theintermediate portion of the isolator includes opposing surface areas ina direction along an axis of the isolator.
 12. The seat post assembly ofclaim 1, wherein a loaded force that is produced by the loaded pressurein the first pressure chamber and that acts on the isolator is balancedalong an isolation axis.
 13. The seat post assembly of claim 12, whereinthe loaded force is balanced through opposing surface areas on theisolator along the isolation axis.
 14. The seat post assembly of claim1, wherein an actuation force required to actuate the valve under alarger load that is applied to the second distal end of the second tubeis less than the actuation force required to actuate the valve under asmaller load that is applied to the second distal end of the secondtube.
 15. The seat post assembly of claim 1, wherein the first tube hasan inner diameter and the second tube has an outer diameter that issmaller than the inner diameter so that the second tube istelescopically slidable along the tube axis to extend and retract thesecond tube relative to the first tube to adjust the distance betweenthe second distal end and the first distal end.
 16. The seat postassembly of claim 1, wherein the isolator is configured having opposingsurfaces such that a fluid opening force acting on one surface of theopposing surfaces is balanced by a fluid closing force acting on anothersurface of the opposing surfaces that opposes the one surface, the fluidopening and closing forces acting along an axis of the isolator.
 17. Theseat post assembly of claim 1, wherein the head further includes asaddle tilt adjustment mechanism.
 18. The seat post assembly of claim17, wherein the tilt adjustment mechanism includes an adjuster thatmodifies a saddle tilt angle when rotated.
 19. The seat post assembly ofclaim 18, wherein the adjuster is in threaded connection with the saddleclamp mechanism.